171st out of 766 books
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1,210 voters
America Unchained: A Freewheeling Roadtrip In Search Of Non-Corporate USA
by
Dave Gorman
The plan was simple. Go to America. Buy a second-hand car. Drive coast-to-coast without giving any money to The ManT. What could possibly go wrong?
Dismayed by the relentless onslaught of faceless American chains muscling in where local businesses had once thrived, Dave Gorman set off on the ultimate American road trip - in search of the true, independent heart of the U S o...more
Dismayed by the relentless onslaught of faceless American chains muscling in where local businesses had once thrived, Dave Gorman set off on the ultimate American road trip - in search of the true, independent heart of the U S o...more
Paperback, 378 pages
Published
2008
by Ebury Press
(first published April 3rd 2007)
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An excellent travelogue of Dave Gorman's attempt to wipe the memory of a previous terrible comedy tour of USA. Instead of staying in big chain motels where every room is identical across the continent (and around the world), he chose to stay in independently owned motels where each one is different. Instead of eating in big chain places like McDonalds and Starbucks, he chose independent restaurants. Instead of renting a modern car from a big chain hire shop like Hertz, he bought a 2nd hand car a...more
I hit the motherload of books in the apartment building/hotel I was living at in Sydney! Someone left a whole bunch of travel books that I have been dying to read and usually I am very good about only swapping one for one because I don't want to be grabby, but I had to grab more then my share one day, because I just wanted to read them all! I put back books as a read them without taking more later. And this book was one of them.
I had read something by this author in the past and liked it, so of...more
I had read something by this author in the past and liked it, so of...more
The plan was simple. Go to America. Buy a second-hand car. Drive coast-to-coast without giving any money to The Man. What could possibly go wrong? Dismayed by the relentless onslaught of faceless American chains muscling in where local businesses had once thrived, Dave Gorman set off on the ultimate American road trip - in search of the true, independent heart of the US of A. He would eat cherry pie from local diners, re-fuel at dusty gas stations and stock up on supplies from Mom and Pop's groc...more
Apr 25, 2011
Sho
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Sho by:
Maggie Biegel
Shelves:
non-fiction,
travel-writing
I didn't know who Dave Gorman was - actually I'm still a little unclear - but when I mentioned that I like travel-writing an internet friend suggested this and then sent it to me. Cool.
I like travel books to have a theme and this one is quite interesting. Very interesting in fact. The plan was to drive from the west to the east coast of America using only independent retailers to refuel, overnight and buy supplies at. The great American tradition of the Mom & Pop store was to be tested, in f...more
I like travel books to have a theme and this one is quite interesting. Very interesting in fact. The plan was to drive from the west to the east coast of America using only independent retailers to refuel, overnight and buy supplies at. The great American tradition of the Mom & Pop store was to be tested, in f...more
The biggest draw in this story, for me, was to get to the end and learn if the author really was able to accomplish his mission. However, it turns out that the journey was pretty interesting, in itself. I'm sure there's a moral there somewhere -- something along the lines of "the destination not being as important as the journey". Nonetheless -- I enjoyed reading about all of the unbranded, "Mom and Pop" hotels they stayed in and restaurants they ate in. It's nice know that quirky spots like tha...more
Is it possible to travel from one coast of the US to the other without giving any money to The Man? This is the question that Dave Gorman posed to himself after a tour of the States where he was taken from one identical hotel room to another to perform. So to counteract this, he decides to start in LA and travel to New York using only independent motels, diners, grocery stores and, most problematically, gas stations.
I find Dave Gorman a very entertaining writer, and this book had me laughing out...more
I find Dave Gorman a very entertaining writer, and this book had me laughing out...more
Dec 20, 2012
Christopher Lane
added it
Something that I would love to do with a few get out clauses. Dave Gorman decided to drive from Coast to Coast of America without giving any money to 'The Man'. That means no Starbucks, no McDonalds, he didn't mention them, but no Cracker Barrel (that would be my get out clause), no chain motels or hotels and obviously causing the most problem only filling up at independent gas stations. I wouldn't even know where an independent gas station is in the UK. By and large he almost does it, with a fe...more
c2008. I had watched the actual documentary that was filmed during this trip and I didn't recall it being outstandingly good. The book, though, was a good humorous read. Sadly, he didn't make it to the state that I prefer (Hawkeye!) but seemed set on visiting as many Independences as possible whilst traversing from coast to coast. I have been lucky enough to meet some really lovely hospitable and friendly people during my sojourns to the States and I am not at all surprised that the people Mr Go...more
I picked up this book thinking 'If it's anything like his stand-up for googlewack adventure it'll have me laughing out loud' and it did but that's not what sticks in my mind about this book. first is two points about Dave Gorman 1) He's got some guts and 2) He has actually lost at least a part of his mind! It was a fantastic book and a great way to get even a small idea of the small parts of America from a brit-eye-view. He talks about all the tiny bits of America that everyone one else has forg...more
A friend of mine sent me the book and DVD bundle. It came with a note which read, "Your documentaries will be like this!". I took it as high praise indeed.
Unchained America covers two of my favourite subjects: Small town America and "sticking it to the Man". It follows Dave and his sometimes long suffering film crew as they attempt to cross America without giving any money to any of the chains. That means hotels, food and petrol.
The book is great. Funny and fast paced it'll keep you glued to the...more
Unchained America covers two of my favourite subjects: Small town America and "sticking it to the Man". It follows Dave and his sometimes long suffering film crew as they attempt to cross America without giving any money to any of the chains. That means hotels, food and petrol.
The book is great. Funny and fast paced it'll keep you glued to the...more
I liked the premise of the road trip, although I did find it slightly ironic that Gorman was rejecting the idea of big chains and brands, while managing to milk the trip and his own personal brand for all it was worth, by making a documentary as part of it. The filming itself caused problems and threw the author into what can only be described as a full-on strop when he got to Moab in Utah. I lost a fair bit of respect for him there, and again at the point when the car's water pump failed and he...more
After a 4 month tour of America doing his stand up routine a jaded Dave Gorman returns to the UK feeling his love affair with the States is over. Reflecting on his tour he realizes his frustrations lie within the faceless nature of corporate America, and so the idea is formed for rediscovering his love of America, the real America. The plan- a coast to coast road trip with just one stipulation, not to give any money to The Man.
This is his diary/travelogue, filled with bizarre and colorful charac...more
This is his diary/travelogue, filled with bizarre and colorful charac...more
This was a really enjoyable read. I bought the DVD at the same time as the book, but decided to read the book first. In this, Dave Gorman decides he wants to drive from West Coast USA to East Coast spending no money with large companies, only "Mom and Pop" stores. His agent suggested making a film too, and the film almost becomes the downfall of the project.
Typically Dave Gorman, this book witty, silly, sad, happy - it's just a great read. And like all long journeys, it suddenly ends. Suddenly...more
Typically Dave Gorman, this book witty, silly, sad, happy - it's just a great read. And like all long journeys, it suddenly ends. Suddenly...more
I was after a bit of roadtrip inspiration and picked up Dave Gorman's America Unchained off the shelves. After doing a US tour, he came home thinking he didn't like America very much but his problem was that he had only seem the soulless corporate side. He sets himself a mission to cross the country without giving any money to The Man, avoiding hotels, gas stations, cafes and shops that are part of any chain.
The journey ends up a little bit like one of those Top Gear specials where they buy old...more
The journey ends up a little bit like one of those Top Gear specials where they buy old...more
I picked up this book while backpacking through SE Asia at a one-for-one trade bookshop. The premise intrigued me because I have been away from the USA for over 5 months and I have to admit, I am not thrilled with returning to the land of The Man. His insights into American culture were spot on and his predictions might just be too. I enjoyed learning more about my own country from an Englishman! All the eccentric, friendly, scary, and beautiful pieces of it.
I usually enjoy Dave Gorman's books and I really enjoyed the start of this... but after a while it seemed to get a bit repetitive. There was also a lot of factual information towards the end... and the ending seemed a bit rushed. It all came to an abrupt finish, but I suppose that was the nature of the journey.
It took me a few months to read this... not one of my favourite DG books, but an amazing journey nonetheless.
It took me a few months to read this... not one of my favourite DG books, but an amazing journey nonetheless.
This book, and why I loved it, can be summed up in the following quote from the last chapter:
"...these places - the good and the bad - are truer to the American spirit than anything the faceless, bland, and acceptably average corporations have to offer. The chains offer us a world in which average things are guaranteed... I'd rather live in a world in which fabulous things are possible. I'll take a rollercoaster instead of a train."
"...these places - the good and the bad - are truer to the American spirit than anything the faceless, bland, and acceptably average corporations have to offer. The chains offer us a world in which average things are guaranteed... I'd rather live in a world in which fabulous things are possible. I'll take a rollercoaster instead of a train."
Aug 03, 2011
Tobias
added it
Very cheering, reading this is like being in his company to some extent. Has reinforced my desire to explore the States in a yet to be specified unusual way. If you enjoyed this you should also read Bill Bryson's book "The lost Continent - Travels in Small Town America" which is probably better written, funnier and also deeper than this book. But I still like Dave Gorman.
Jan 15, 2010
Andrew Henderson
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
People who have lost faith in America.
Shelves:
humour,
favourites
This is not quite as funny as Gorman's two previous books but that's not where it's charm lies. It's description of the non-corporate small towns of America is what made me really fall for this story. I love that side of American culture, it's just a shame about the whole glitz and glamour side of the country which is always covered by the press.
I have read Dave's other books and would recommend them for really great holiday reads. The premise seems to take second place to Dave's personal journey and so certainly won't challenge you as Naomi Klein did in 'No Logo' but you can pick then up easily and if they don't make you chuckle you will have a wry smile on your face.
I read this in 2 days, was always gonna be an easy sell to me having been to lots of places in America, loving America and knowing Dave Gorman as being Danny Wallace's flatmate I knew I'd be in for a good read. I did enjoy it, was nice to hear about the less commercial aspects of America and could really imagine the places he was describing, but it was repetative in parts and not as funny as I had envisaged - it didn't have to be, I was just expecting it to be. I'm a big fan of Danny Wallace and...more
Mainly read this because I am going to drive across the USA next year and thought this would give me some tips. The book is hugely amusing. Basically Dave Gorman wants to drive from the west coast to the east coast without using any chain hotels, restaurants and petrol stations. He also does the trip in a very old Ford Torino Estate car which keeps breaking down. I have not laughed so much in ages. Also found the stories of how helpful the American people were to be very touching.
Book title: America Unchained: A Freewheeling Roadtrip In Search of Non-Corporate USA (Paperback)
Dave Gorman sets off across America to see if he can travel the Country without using any chain businesses, including petrol stations.
In the Ford Torino station wagon (yes Starsky and Hutch drove a Torino, but there's was the saloon version), he sets off with a film director for company who's job it is to make a film of the trip. Along the way he run's into all sorts of different characters and place...more
Dave Gorman sets off across America to see if he can travel the Country without using any chain businesses, including petrol stations.
In the Ford Torino station wagon (yes Starsky and Hutch drove a Torino, but there's was the saloon version), he sets off with a film director for company who's job it is to make a film of the trip. Along the way he run's into all sorts of different characters and place...more
Overall I liked the book, its not especially funny in the laugh out loud sense, but it has a definite sense of purpose running through the book. You get to see a side of America that is sadly disapearing fast in the face of chain stores and businesses and see both the good and bad aspects of the old "mom and pop" type of business.
Dec 29, 2008
Julie Jenkins
is currently reading it
I'm about a third of the way through, and I like it better than the TV programme for the obvious reason that there is much more detail in the book.
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David James Gorman is an English author, stand-up comedian and presenter. He has performed comedy shows on stage in which he tells stories of extreme adventures and presents the evidence to the audience in order to prove to them that they are true stories. He was a stand-up comedian before he became famous for Are You Dave Gorman?, then took a break from normal stand-up. He returned to stand-up in...more
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“I want to be a rollercoaster and not a train.”
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May 04, 2011 04:05pm